If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

DIY Tarp Question

I've never done such a project before so I'm wondering how difficult something like this is gonna be. I'm alright with a sewing machine and if I find myself in real trouble help wont be too far away. So do you all think this is a relatively easy project to undertake?

I've never done such a project before so I'm wondering how difficult something like this is gonna be. I'm alright with a sewing machine and if I find myself in real trouble help wont be too far away. So do you all think this is a relatively easy project to undertake?

just go slow take your time even more so on the cat cuts, i just did my first tarp and it was not that hard

Re: DIY Tarp Question

I finished the winter tarp about two weeks ago. Honestly it isn't too hard if you can sew a straightish line.

I had a few problems... the ridgeline seam went wonky so I cut it off and used a flat felled seam instead of the hybrid diygs shows and I stitched the reinforcement patches on the wrong side so had to do some stitch ripping.

Take your time and it'll be fine, I will be starting no. 2 soon and know it will take less than half the time the first one did as well as finding it much easier.

Unfortunately I have the attention span of a goldfish and get impatient so I do it in smallish chunks so it takes longer (taking everything out, putting it back, remembering what I was doing etc.), or I start to rush and mess something up. If you find yourself feeling like this then stop or you WILL make a mistake.

Good luck, I'm sure it'll come out great and you'll be rediculously proud of yourself... remember we like pics

I've made two so far. The second one was made from silnylon.
The other replies speak the truth. It is not too hard if you break the processes down.
Do yourself a favor and practice a little. Especially on the ridgeline seam. Youtube is a great teacher but so are local hammockers if you have access to any. I practiced stitching the flat felled seam of my ridgeline on scraps till I got it right. I also sewed up a mock-up of my corner tie outs. Layering those up with reinforcing fabric got confusing but making a few from scrap pointed out the issues and made the final actual assembly go much better.

"Live your life so that your children can tell their children that you not only stood for something wonderful- you acted on it"
-Dan Zadra

One thing that no one seems to mention - not sure if it's because it's taken for granted or because no one knows about it!!

When you're doing a hem on a cat cut (or any curve) it's handy to clip the curve. If you've never done it - you make little nicks (I use my thread scissors every inch or inch and a half in the edge of the fabric. It relaxs the tightness of the edge and allows it to essentially stretch out to fit the tighter curve on the fold.